Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-11-19
BOOK WORLD.
SOME OF THE CHOICE BOOKS OF
THE DAY.
Fiction, History, Biography, Science,
POetry-Holiday Publica-
cations-Magazine

I647-1S55, with Portrait and Reproduction
of Letters and Drawings" is a royal octave
volume from the press of Charles Scribner's
Sons, and prepared by Mrs Brookfield.
aided by James Russell Lowell. In behalf
of the publishers says one critic: " When
the SERIAL publication of these letters was
begun, the New York Nation said that if
the series continued like its first number
English literature had new classic 1t
is now known that the promise of the
beginning was far more than fulfilled in
all that followed; and the existence of the
new English classic is by this time widely
recognized and quite beyond all doubt. ~
Certainly the letters give US Thackeray in a
new light and illumiDe his character. No
more blessings collection of letters do
we now call to mind. Mrs. Brookfeld re-
ceives the thanks of the literary world for
this production. The volume is published
as q royal quarto. uncut edges, gilt top for
$40, and in cheaper form, octave for 81 so
Microscopy for Beginners" is a study
of common objects from the ponds and
bitches, by DR.. Alfred G. Stokes. 1t is illus.
trated by It's clear illustrations We have
had occasion to examine this book with the
companionship of skilled microscopist. and
TO apply some of its tests and measure IT'S
value by comparison with more pretentious
textbooks. We are free to say that with
taste for microscopy no other book has
so gratifed it, for it is clear and
explicit in its explanations, leads
the amateur in research along by easy de-
grees, and introduces one into the DEPART
ment of natural history in a manner that
appetizes the taste for profounder study.
1t is handbook in natural science we can
cordially recommend. Microscopy is every
day growing IN popularity with the young
and The interest 1t awakens speaks well for
the vide diffusion of knowledge concerning
this branch of natural history. New York.
Harper q Brothers. San Francisco, The
Bancroft Company.
Horse, Foot and Dragons, is a
9uarto volume containing sketches of army
life at home and abroad, by Rufus Fair
child Zogbaum. 1t is richly illustrated
from drawings by the author. These pic
lures are original in character and of strik-
ing effect in light and shade. The frontis-
piece, on the most delicate silk paper, is
tine as an etching, and represents cavalry
guidon-bearer mounted, and in fatigue
uniform. The sketches embrace war pic
lures in time of peace in the armies of
France, Great Britain, Germany and the
United States, with some of actual conflict
and battle scenes The author has very
happy way of telling his experiences, and
makes every chapter vital with interest
New York: Harper & Brothers; San Fran
cisco: The Bancroft Company
The series of Interstate Monthlies, pub
hshed at Boston, consisting of Grammar
School-for young people; The Intermed-
iate-for boys and girls, and the Primary
Tor younger ones, are among the most in
terestlng and instructive publications for
these classes of readers, to be found. They
are neatly illustrated, and the short stories
and other reading matter contained in
them Is OF the choicest and most attractive
partaking of the nature of magazine litera-
ture, history, cbildren's frolics. etc. The
prices of the several publications are, the
Grammar School, 81 per year; Interme-
date Monthly, 80 cents Primary Monthly,
80 cents, and Primmer, 30 cents. Address,
Interstate Publishing Company, 80 Frank
lin street, Boston, Mass.
"Risifi's Daughter" is poetical drama bv
the brilliant new writer, Anna Katharine
Green. She has poetic talent of fine or
der; her imagination is fervid and her
method of expression vigorous and devoid
OF wordiness. She is an admirable story
teller, AID as novelist has achieved sue
cess. This poetic drama will never COM
mand the attention of its predecessor, 1.-THE
Defense OF the Bride and Other POEMS" for
poetlcal dramas never secure so wide a
reading as less extended works of poetic
merit, but in its vigor and charm of recital
1t Is below nothing that has come from the
pen of this author. New York and Lon
don, q. P Putnam's Sons; San Francisco,
the Bancroft Company.
Social Studies" is the title of a 16mo.
volume containing lectures and papers BY
Rev. K. Heber Newton, the distinguished
New York clergyman, Rector of Ali Souls
lkpiscopal) Church. The subjects treated
ar labor, CO. operation, production, the
wn!klngman and the State, oldtim guilds
and modern commercial associations in
temperance, moral education in public
schools, the kindergarten in church work
religious aspect of socialism, communism.
The reading of these studies" impress
one with the courage of the clergyman, and
aWakeDs admiration for his originality,
bril!iancy and learning. New York Geo.
p Putnam's Sons. San Francisco: The
Bancroft Company.
The Wonder Clock" is by Howard Pyle,
with designs by the author and verses by
Katherine Pyle. 1t is announced and
printed in quaint style, after the manner of
the antique, and Is altogether a strange and
fascinating book. 1t consists of twenty
four marvellous tales" one for each hour
of the day. The stories will delight young
mirable holiday present Its peculiar
makeup" its odd division into hours and
the side humor of the tales told as of 1.-The
olden time" make it book that will prove
very attractive to masters and misses.
Press OF Harper e Brothers, New York
The Bancroft Company, San Francisco.
From c. S. Houghton, Sacramento we
have from the press of Houghton, Miff1in
Il Co., novel by Joseph Kirkland. entitled
"Znry; the Meanest Man in Spring County;
Novel OF Western Life" In many re-
spects II Is al interesting book and
a strong one. The pictures of West
ern characters are life-like, and the
nomenclature employed and the dia-
iect and " Westernisms of language
are true nd free from exaggeration. These
latter are SO numerous that glossary in
terpreting them is appended. The story
OF 4 political campaign in the West is the
best and most striking feature of the very
amusing and dramatic tale.
OF the Questions of the Dav series we
have number XNNNIII. 1t is an ANALYSIS
of the provisions of The Interstate Com
merce Act, and is by J. r. DosPassos. of
the New York bar. G. z. Putnams Sons.
New York and London s. Carson & Co.,
San Francisco. We have not been able to
examine this rather elaborate treatise with
that care which JusiitleS us III passing iudg-
ment upon the interpretations placed upon
the Act commented upon. 1t is evident,
however, that it is useful volume, and
that 10 commercial and railroad men it
viii be OF value ana assistance.
Domesticus,' tale of 4" The Imperial
City," is by VIM. Allen Butler. 1t is from
the press of Chas. Scribners Sons, New
York, and is for sale by the Bancroft Com
pany, San Francisco, at 81 %. 1t is an at
tractive allegory. and fine example o:
sarcasm, in which the trials of husband
and wife, in the effort to manage house
hold, and their wrestle with the laws relat-
ing to property of husband and wife, and
OF the two, are set forth in the most oddly
fascinating way, and in the nature, after
all, OF criticism of things social and gov
ernmental.
With its November issue Babyhood Z"
completes its third year and volume. From
the hrst number it has been pronounced
success, winning praises from the press.
Inere is not home in the land, blessed
with small children, but would be made
better for its monthly visits With its No
vember number is given an index of the
volume Just closed. embracing more than
900 topics. The magazine commences its
fourth year under bright auspices. rs
cents copy; 81 so year Babyhood
Pnolishing Company, 5 Beekman street,
New York